Public Safety

Fire Chief, Neighbors React To Hibbing House Explosion

HIBBING, Minn. – A house explosion in Hibbing Sunday night sent flames into the air and injured one person.  One day later, heavy equipment moved in, as the investigation into a cause of the blast continued. “All the neighbors were out, pajamas, bathrobes, whatever. People just came out. Everybody was chasing dogs every which way trying to, I suppose, when…

Lake Nebagamon man charged with possession of child pornography

Jackson Dallas Rabold SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Lake Nebagamon man is facing five counts of Possession of Child Pornography. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Jackson Dallas Rabold. The charging documents say investigators were initially tipped off to Rebold when Google detected, “258 files of suspected child pornography, stored on the google photos infrastructure.”  The indictment continues to…

Man taunts Troopers after 100-mile-per-hour chase, later leaving note calling self ‘Undefeated driver #1’

Matthew Dean Irgang NEAR CHISHOLM, Min. – Charging documents say a man drove from Minnesota Highway Patrol Trooper at more than 100-miles per hour leading them on a chase, and later left a note taunting them. The report alleges a Trooper clocked Matthew Irgang, 43, Eveleth driving 101-miles per hour the evening of December 8, 2024. He was allegedly driving…

Crosby Fire now 85% contained

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Minn. — Officials released an update regarding the status of The Crosby Fire on Tuesday morning According to officials, the fire remains at around 300 acres and has been 85% contained. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail remains closed. SEE PREVIOUS: Trail Access Restricted Due to Crosby Fire SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire grows to 300…

Cellphones, Facebook Chats & A Tip: How deputies found the escaped NERCC prisoner

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Min. – Court documents are showing how deputies say they tracked down Michael Hart after he escaped from from Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) and stayed on the run for about 2-weeks. The information was found in the charging documents for Devone Shackelton, Michael Hart’s girlfriend. Shackelton was charged with one count of Felony Aiding an…

Investigator suing the City of Superior resigns

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mikayla LeRette, the Investigator suing the city of Superior, has resigned. She resigned in good standing about the same time both LeRette’s legal team and the City of Superior’s legal team agreed to some confidentiality terms in her federal lawsuit. On October 2, 2025 an agreement was made to keep some parts of evidence in the lawsuit…

Minnesota Nurses Association members created “hostile environment” at DECC

  DULUTH, Min. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) says Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members created a “hostile environment” in the facility where security had to be called. A statement from the DECC says an incident happened on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, around noon at its Harbor Side Convention facility. The DECC statement says, “Reports from DECC staff and…

Crews to teardown the remainder of home that exploded in Hibbing

UPDATE: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety tells FOX21 the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the explosion. HIBBING, Min. – Crews are beginning to teardown the remainder of home a that exploded in Hibbing the evening of October 12, 2025. The house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Crews beginning to tear down remainder of house that exploded in…

Threat against Proctor school was made by students but not credible

UPDATE: The Proctor Police Department tells FOX21 the threat was made via a phone call. PROCTOR, Min. – In the late morning of October 13, 2025 the Proctor School District Superintendent said a recent threat against the school was not credible. Proctor High School In a statement Superintendent of Schools Tim Rohweder said, “The Proctor Police Department was made aware of…

Fire Departments Respond To House Explosion In Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. — A house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, injuring at least one person. At least six departments from the Iron Range immediately responded to the scene in the 2200 block of 9th Avenue East, according to the Hibbing Fire Department. The two-story house was engulfed in flames with officials arrived, which is located across the street…

Threat To Proctor Middle And High Schools; Increased Patrols This Week

PROCTOR, Minn. — The Proctor  School District and the Proctor Police Department are investigating a threat to the middle and high schools, which officials do not believe is credible. Supt. Tim Rohweder sent a lengthy email to families and staff Sunday about the threat, which referenced Oct. 13. Rohweder acknowledged how these situations can be “unsettling,” but he said it…

Crosby Fire cause determined; Containment grows

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Min. – The Crosby Fire burning near Tofte has reached 50% containment on Sunday, Oct. 12. It has burned 300 acres. Investigators say the cause of the Crosby Fire has been determined to be a result of a lightning strike. Firefighters are making progress establishing a handline along the west and east sides of the fire’s…

1 dead in overnight Duluth shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — One person is dead after a shooting in Duluth early Friday morning. According to officials, at 12:25 a.m., they responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. When they arrived, they found a man dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Officials are asking people in the area to check their surveillance…

Crosby Fire grows to 50 acres

TOFTE, Minn. — Overnight, the Crosby Fire has grown to 50 acres. Officials say that the fire in the area of  George H. Crosby Manitou State Park has almost doubled in size. SEE PREVIOUS: Crews respond to fire near Crosby Manitou State Park The Park and the Superior Hiking Trail remain open to the public, but visitors are advised to…

1 injured in Central Hillside shooting

DULUTH, Minn. —  One person is injured after a shooting in Duluth. According to officials,  at around 12:55 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of North 3rd Avenue East. When they arrived, they found a 47-year-old man with gunshot wounds. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials…

Normanna Volunteer Fire Dept. Fundraising Event Returns Oct. 11

DULUTH, Minn. – The Normanna Volunteer Fire Department is getting ready for its third-annual Normanna Fire Squatch 5K fundraising event this Saturday, Oct. 11. 2024 Squatch 5K The fun starts at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the 5K race and a baby Squatch 1K for the kids. Vendors will be on hand, a silent auction and activities…

Duluth Fire Department “Charges into Safety”

DULUTH, Minn. — For this year’s Fire Safety Week, the Duluth Fire Department has chosen the theme, “Charging into Safety.” The Department is emphasizing the importance of properly caring for lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power everything from power tools to cell phones, and with so many around us, it’s important to handle them safely to prevent fires. To help prevent…

Semi rolls over on Hibbing roundabout

  (Credit: Northland Firewire) HIBBING, Minn —  A semi-truck rolled over on a roundabout in Hibbing Wednesday morning. According to Friends of the Northland Fire Wire, authorities responded around 10 a.m. to a report of a semi-truck hauling demolition materials that had tipped on its side. The rollover happened at the  Highway 37/169 roundabout in Hibbing. No injuries have been…

Hidden Camera Found In Bathroom At Duluth Senior Living Facility

Bathroom where the camera was found DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned a small camera was recently discovered in a bathroom at Viewcrest Health Center. A Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) found the small pen-style camera on Friday, Oct. 3, and called the Duluth Police Department. Sources tell FOX 21 the device was taped under the lip of a wooden…

Small Plane Crashes Near McGregor Airport, 3 Injured

MCGREGOR, Minn. — A small plane crashed Sunday after taking off from the McGregor Airport, injuring the three people inside. The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. Missing dog The Piper PA-28-140 was located about a half-mile short of the runway. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 21 the aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff and was attempted to…

Man charged after West Skyline Parkway hit-and-run

DULUTH, Minn. — A man has been charged after a hit-and-run on West Skyline Parkway last week. According to court documents, 68-year-old Jeffry Luck has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation, bodily harm, and leaving the scene. SEE PREVIOUS: Man Arrested After West Skyline Hit-And-Run In a statement to officials, the victims say that around 4 pm,…

Northland lawmakers react to Social Security breach

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In the wake of the accidental release of thousands of social security numbers by the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, two Wisconsin lawmakers have responded. SEE PREVIOUS: Superior resident receives thousands of Social Security Numbers from Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office Wisconsin representative Angela Stroud of the state’s 73rd district released the following statement to FOX21: “We…

Man Arrested After West Skyline Hit-And-Run

DULUTH, Minn. — A man is now under arrest after a hit-and-run incident on West Skyline Parkway last week. The 68-year-old suspect is being held on multiple pending charges, including criminal vehicular operation and bodily harm. The incident happened during the daylight hours of Sept. 23 on the 3800 block of West Skyline. Two pedestrians were struck by the vehicle….

MnDOT Issues First-Ever ‘Stand Down’ After 2 Recent Construction Deaths

Two recent construction zone deaths on Minnesota roads caused the Department of Transporation to issue its first-ever stand down in recognition of the two lives lost on the job. This meant all MnDOT workers paused work in construction zones across the state, including Duluth. MnDOT said the pause was not only to honor the contractors who died last week on…

Duluth Police: Fight Ends With Man Shot By ‘Fearful’ Woman

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a shooting in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The call for help came in around 4 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of West 7th Street. Police attend to man shot in the leg Sunday morning “Initial information is a physical alteration occurred between a 39-year-old female and a 38-year-old male inside a…

Man found on Moccasin Mike Road in Superior identified

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department has identified the person found deceased in the area of Moccasin Mike Road and Wisconsin Point Road on September 24, 2025. He was identified as Superior resident, 53-year-old Tracy Alan Woodhull. The Superior Police Department is still investigate this incident. On September 24, 2025, at approximately 1:39am officer got the report of a man…

Congdon Park neighborhood under boil alert

DULUTH, Minn. — A boil water notice is in effect for residents in the Congdon Park neighborhood. The boil alert is in place for those living on the 3300 to 3800 blocks of Greysolon Road, Greysolon Place, East Superior Street, and 36th Avenue East from London Road to Superior Street. Officials say during a hydrant replacement on London Road, a…

Cook County Land Services Scam Alert

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — Cook County is warning residents of a scam involving Land Services. Scammers are targeting people who apply to or contact the Cook County Land services department. They are impersonating staff by email and asking for $7,000 via wire transfer. Land services will never contact you by email requesting payment via wire transfer. Emails from government officials…

Duluth ski coach sentenced for creating child pornography of the kids he coached

John Degelau DULUTH, Minn. & MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – John David Degelau, 28, has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was found guilty on federal charges of Possession of Child Pornography. Degelau, a former youth ski coach, created child pornography by imposing the faces of children he coached onto the bodies of…

Search for missing man underway in Cook County

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — A search is underway for a missing man in Cook County. Authorities say Wayne Stortch, a 74-year-old man from New Richmond, has been missing since September 18. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office discovered Stortch’s vehicle parked on the side of the Gunflint Trail at the Pine Mountain Lake trailhead access on September 24. Officials believe he…

Stabbing at a Sunday wedding

Nathan John Polzin ANGORA TOWNSHIP, Min. – A man is accused of getting into a fight at a wedding and stabbing an attendee. Court documents allege Nathan John Polzin got into a disagreement at wedding in Angora Township the evening of September 21, 2025. A witness told deputies Polzin pulled a knife on the victim and began fighting. The witness…

Minnesota Board of Pardons commutes sentence from 1998 Aitkin County murder

SAINT PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Board of Pardons voted to commute the sentence of Brian Pippitt, who spent over two decades in prison following a conviction of first-degree murder in 2001. The Board voted to commute Pippitt’s sentence based on good behavior in prison and the length of time Pippitt served in prison compared to his codefendants. In 2024 there…

Injured Man Rescued in Boundary Waters

BOUNDARY WATERS, Minn. — A man has been rescued from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after suffering an injury to the leg from an axe. Around 6:30 p.m. on September 23, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received an SOS notification regarding the injured man. A tourniquet and bandaging had been used to stop the bleeding. The injured man…

Inmate escapes from Northeast Regional Corrections Center

  SAGINAW, Minn. — An inmate has escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC). Officials say that on Tuesday evening, Michael Todd Hart escaped from custody at the NERCC. According to officials, Hart is a white male, 5’10” tall, 169 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a yellow sweatshirt, grey T-shirt, and blue…

St. Louis County Gathers Input for West Arrowhead Road Safety

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – People gathering at the Hermantown YMCA to give the St. Louis County Public Works community input regarding the Active Transportation Plan for West Arrowhead Road. The project’s main focus is the stretch between Haines Road and Rice Lake Road, where heavy traffic and limited pedestrian or bike accommodations can make travel for non-motorized users difficult. The overall…

Duluth man arrested for threatening to shoot elementary school released on bail

Richard Neault DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who was arrested for threatening an elementary School has been released on a $100,000 bail. Richard Neault was arrested on September 11 for threatening to shoot the windows of Laura MacArthur Elementary School. 72-year-old Neault is being charged with felony threats of violence and is facing a maximum sentence of 5 years…

Ex-Lawmaker Nicole Mitchell sentenced for burglary

Nicole Mitchell DULUTH, Min. & DETROIT LAKES, Min. – Former Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell has been sentenced to 5-years probation, plus 180-days in jail with work release. She was convicted of burglary for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s house. Mitchell said during her sentencing, “Your Honor, I, I deserve to be here today. The things said and the harm I…

Minnesota Power Reminds Customers of “Cold Weather Rule”

DULUTH, Minn. — With the seasons changing and cold air on the way, Minnesota Power is reminding customers about the state’s “Cold Weather Rule.” The rule prevents residential customers from getting their natural gas or electric service shut off for non-payment between Oct. 1, and Apr. 30. Minnesota Power encourages customers, who believe the higher winter bills will be too…

Suspects named in Fredenberg Township burglary

  Damian Lyle Coon(left) and Cayden John Pappas(right) FREDENBURG TOWNSHIP, Minn —  Suspects have been named after a home was ransacked in an alleged planned burglary in Fredenberg Township. 26-year-old Damian Lyle Coon of Duluth and 18-year-old Cayden John Pappas of Cloquet are being charged with felony 2nd-degree burglary and felony theft. SEE PREVIOUS: 2 Arrested After Home Burglary In…

Charges: Duluth Man Filmed Under Skirts At Mariucci Arena Graduations, 144 victims

Benjamin Goldsmith of Duluth MINNEAPOLIS. Minn. (FOX 9) — A Duluth man is accused of taking inappropriate images of more than 100 female students at high school graduation ceremonies at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Benjamin Thomas Goldsmith, 32, of Duluth is accused of getting closely behind girls while taking pictures and videos under their skirts, according to charges. 144 victims…

Outage leaves over 800 people without power

Minn. — 825 Minnesota power customers across the northland are without power Thursday morning. According to officials, the outage began at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, impacting Skelton Township, Moose Lake Township, and Barnum. Minnesota Power released a statement regarding the outage: “The outage is the result of a small, contained fire at our substation last night, which was caused by…

Charges: Homeless Man Shot Out Door Of Downtown Duluth Business During Burglary

DULUTH, Minn. – Serious felony charges have been filed against a man after a burglary and shooting of a downtown Duluth business. James Eugene Ferry, 36 According to the criminal complaint, James Eugene Ferry, 36, whose address is listed in Duluth as “homeless” on the court records, shot out the front door of Namaste Gifts and Healing at 4th Avenue…